SAN PAULO, September 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Italtel , a leader in next generation networks and services, and Linkra Networks, a wireless backhaul specialist, announce a partnership designed to jointly provide Mobile Network Operators, Converged Service Providers, Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP), Utilities and Large Enterprises with full IP Microwave Next Generation systems.

The two partners will focus their joint activities on EMEA and Latin America markets, in particular Brazil and Argentina. In the latter markets that are recording frantic growth rates and where competition is tough, the ability to own and control the network is crucial to the success of any Mobile and Fixed Operator or for ISP looking to profitably face the booming traffic demand of differentiated services and manage network costs. As service providers broaden their coverage and cope with the demand for data rate growth forcing to deploy higher capacity distribution and access wireless networks - such as 3G/LTE, WiMAX and Wi-Fi - the wireless backhauling infrastructure must also be upgraded to IP and broadened to prevent infrastructure bottlenecks.

The partnership leverages Linkra Networks proven experience in the full IP Microwave for mobile backhauling and the expertise that Italtel has acquired in next generation network architecture both in EMEA and Latin America as well as valuable expertise in system integration, voice over IP and wired & wireless technology.

Linkra Networks Full Ethernet Microwave Portfolio is part of proven microwave-optics-routers integration for Backhauling solutions. It can be integrated in different networks: from Enterprise ones to Next Generation and Mobile Networks.

"The agreement with Linkra has a twofold relevance for Italtel: it is an important step of our plan to develop into specific foreign markets, particularly LatAm, and allows us to reinforce our offer in the mobile segment," commented Camillo Ascione, Head of Cisco-OEM Products & Solutions Product Unit at Italtel. "We are actually working to extend our portfolio of mobile solutions also by developing proprietary products within Cisco Mobile Packet Core Solutions. We believe this will be crucial to maintain the growth trend we experienced in LatAm in recent years by deploying network infrastructure solutions for several of the most important fixed and mobile operators".

"The relationship with Italtel is part of our strategy to become a leader in Full IP Microwave solutions and speed up Linkra access in LatAm countries completing its own worldwide sales presence" commented Tiziano Beretta, Head of IP&Transport Business Unit at Linkra. "Linkra full IP Microwave portfolio, interworking with Carrier Ethernet router/switch devices, will benefit of Italtel IT System Integration knowledge complementing our proven capability on Backhauling Microwave based solutions".

Linkra attends Futurecom, San Paulo, from 12 to 14 September 2011. At booth C54 it is possible to get more info on Linkra and Italtel IP Microwave solutions.

About Linkra Networks

Linkra Srl, a well known System Integration Company based in Italy, Milan area, is nowadays commercializing its own Full Ethernet Microwave Systems and the variety of available network solutions.

Linkra reached a significant market share in Italian Wireless ISP operators and is gaining a growing presence with other important customers in International markets

Linkra Srl belongs to Compel Group, an Italian company supporting since 40 years the Telecom Market with his own products and Manufacturing Services. http://www.linkra.it

About the Italtel Group

Italtel designs, develops, implements solutions for NGN and NGS; Professional Services dedicated to the design and maintenance of networks; IT System Integration Services; Network Integration and migration activities. Italtel counts among its customers more than 40 of the world's top TLC Operators and SPs. In Italy is also reference partner of Enterprises and Public Sector for the deployment of IP Next-Generation Networks and for the development of multimedia convergent services for their customers. Italtel is present in 25 countries and has been operating in Latin America for more than 20 years. In Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Italtel has played a key role in the development of the networks of the most important fixed and mobile service providers and deployed innovative IP networks based on proprietary or third party technology. http://www.italtel.com.

SOURCE ITALTEL S.p.A.